Study Recommends Armored Cap for Sediments in Badin Lake

A study commissioned by Alcoa at the request of state and federal regulators recommends that sediments in a section in Badin Lake contaminated by historical storm water discharges from the former Badin Works smelter be capped to prevent potential migration in the future.

The study evaluated a range of proposals to best address the sediment issue and concluded that an armored cap would be the most effective way to stabilize the sediments and prevent future re-suspension, according to a press release from Alcoa. The study has been submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Waste Management for evaluation and is under review.

The sediments, which contain polychlorinated biphenyls, have been closely monitored by Alcoa and DWM for decades and do not pose a risk to humans, the release said. However, the cap would further isolate the sediments to prevent exposure to aquatic life and to people who use the lake recreationally.